West Nile Virus Reported In Connecticut Town

CONNECTICUT — State scientists have determined that West Nile Virus has found its way into one Connecticut town.

Officials with the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program said that mosquitoes trapped in Wethersfield on July 17 tested positive for the virus. These results represent the first WNV positive mosquitoes identified in the state.

"The recent rainfall, high humidity, and warm temperatures have increased mosquito activity and est Nile Virus is expected to build-up in the weeks ahead," said Dr. Philip Armstrong, medical entomologist at the CAES, in a statement Wednesday.

Armstrong said his agency would closely monitor mosquitoes for virus amplification from now until October. The CAES maintains a network of 108 mosquito-trapping stations in 88 Connecticut municipalities.

West Nile virus has been detected in Connecticut every year since it was introduced into North America in 1999. Last season, WNV was detected in 185 mosquito pools from 24 towns in six countries in Connecticut. The majority of the bugs' activity was detected in densely populated urban and suburban regions in Fairfield, Hartford, and New Haven Counties. A total of seven WNV-associated illnesses were reported with dates of onset from August 11 to September 20.

Only about 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms, which can include headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious or possibly fatal illness.

To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, residents should:

• Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Be sure door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect infants when outdoors.
• Consider the use of an EPA-approved mosquito repellent and apply according to directions when it is necessary to be outdoors.